3D Areola Tattoo Course
Four days of hands-on training in realistic 3D nipple and areola tattooing, in a small class of no more than 5 students.
Course snapshot
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Duration: 4 days in person -
Investment: $12,000 (AUD). This includes your full student kit and free access to our online 3D Realistic Areola Drawing Course. -
2027 dates: Gold Coast 23–26 Feb · Sydney 25–28 May · Cairns 20–23 Jul · Perth 17–20 Aug · Auckland (NZ) 19–22 Oct · Melbourne 16–19 Nov -
Class size: maximum 5 students -
Trainers: two trainers on every 3D Areola course. Kin+Sugi co-founders Melinda Rose Kropp and Shelby Brooks are both qualified educators (TAE40122). -
Experience needed: none. Complete beginners and experienced tattoo or cosmetic tattoo artists are both welcome.
For many people, a 3D areola tattoo is the last step after breast surgery, mastectomy, reconstruction or gender-affirming top surgery. Done well, it uses light, shadow and colour to create the look of a natural nipple and areola, even on completely flat skin. Doing it well takes more than a steady hand. You need artistry, an understanding of skin and scar tissue, and the care to hold space for clients at a vulnerable moment.
This course brings all three together. Melinda's background is in realism tattooing and fine-art drawing. Shelby's is in cosmetic and medical tattooing, including 10 years working alongside surgeons, doctors and nurses.
What you'll learn
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Tattoo fundamentals: tattoo machines, needle cartridges, hand techniques and machine settings
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Hygiene, infection control practices, PPE, safe set-up and legal documentation
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Skin anatomy, wound healing, and working with scar tissue and reconstructed skin
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3D realism drawing: shape, symmetry, measuring and mapping, highlights and shadows
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Colour theory and pigment selection across diverse skin tones and undertones
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Client consultation, consent and trauma-informed client care
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Practising the full process on synthetic skin before you work on real skin
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Supervised, hands-on work on real areola models
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Aftercare, healing and what to look for afterwards
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Photography, before-and-after documentation and case studies
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Business set-up, insurance guidance, pricing and marketing
What's included
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4 days of in-person, hands-on training on real models
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Free access to our online 3D Realistic Areola Drawing Course (coming 2027, $599 on its own)
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Your 'Ready to Go' student kit (below)
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Student manual covering everything taught, plus supplier information and a price guide
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Certificate of Completion
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Photos and videos of you working during the course, for your own marketing
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12 months of WhatsApp support with Melinda, Shelby and your classmates
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An invitation to a shadow day at Melinda's or Shelby's studio if you'd like a refresher
Your Areola student kit
1 x large Kin+Sugi Academy case · 1 x Mast wireless tattoo machine · 1 x set of inks · 1 x student manual · 1 x client aftercare bag · 1 x areola reference images booklet · editable consent forms · aftercare information · 40 x needle cartridges (variety) · circle ruler and straight ruler · callipers · white pencil, skin marker and white string · 1 x blank drawing booklet · 5 x areola coloured pencils · eraser and sharpener · gloves · face masks · ink cups · grip tape · Vaseline · alcohol wipes · ink mixer · cotton tips
No experience? Completely fine.
If you've not had any tattoo machine experience, that's completely fine. We cater all the content to complete beginners, so you won't feel out of your depth or left behind.
Good to know
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Certificate: you'll receive a Kin+Sugi Certificate of Completion. Kin+Sugi isn't a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), and this isn't a nationally accredited qualification.
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Infection control: we teach correct infection control practice at every step, but the formal infection control certificate (HLTINF005) isn't included. It can be completed online, and we'll point you to the right course.
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Licensing: requirements differ by state, territory and country. We'll guide you on what applies where you plan to work.
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Models: we source the models for the course.
Investment and booking
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$12,000 (AUD), including your student kit and the online Areola Drawing Course
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A $500 non-refundable deposit secures your place
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The rest of your course fee is due before your course starts (see our Terms & Conditions)
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2027 locations
3D Areola Tattoo Course – Gold Coast
The Gold Coast is where Kin+Sugi began, and it's home to Shelby's studio, Restore, in Burleigh Heads. Over four days you'll learn to create realistic, three-dimensional nipple and areola tattoos in a small, supportive group of no more than 5 students.
Dates: 23–26 Feb 2027
3D Areola Tattoo Course – Toowoomba
3D Areola isn't running in Toowoomba in 2027. The closest course is on the Gold Coast, 23–26 Feb 2027. Toowoomba is hosting our Scar & Stretch Mark Camouflage Course, 8–10 Sep 2027.
3D Areola Tattoo Course – Sydney
We've brought our training to Sydney before, and we're coming back in 2027. If you're in Sydney or anywhere in NSW, this is your chance to learn 3D areola tattooing in person, without the interstate travel. Small groups mean close, hands-on guidance from start to finish.
Dates: 25–28 May 2027
3D Areola Tattoo Course – Cairns
Far North Queensland, this one's for you. In 2027 we're bringing our 4-day 3D Areola Tattoo Course to Cairns, so you can train close to home. Join a small group and learn to create realistic nipple and areola tattoos for people in your own community.
Dates: 20–23 Jul 2027
3D Areola Tattoo Course – Perth
For aspiring medical tattoo artists in Western Australia, in-person training usually means a long trip east. In 2027 we're coming to you. Spend four days learning 3D areola tattooing in Perth, in a small, supportive class.
Dates: 17–20 Aug 2027
3D Areola Tattoo Course – Melbourne
We've trained students in Melbourne before, and in 2027 we're back. Whether you're a tattoo artist adding a meaningful service or starting from scratch, our Melbourne course gives you four days of hands-on 3D areola training in a small group.
Dates: 16–19 Nov 2027
3D Areola Tattoo Course – Auckland (NZ)
Kia ora, New Zealand. In 2027 we're bringing our 4-day 3D Areola Tattoo Course to Auckland, so you can learn realistic nipple and areola tattooing without flying to Australia. You'll train in a small group of no more than 5 students, with hands-on work on real models. Prices are in AUD.
Dates: 19–22 Oct 2027
Places are limited to a maximum of 5 students per class. Choose your city and secure your place with a $500 deposit.